When 16, she visited Hurtwood House near Dorking, Surrey, England, where she began writing songs in English.
At age 17, she left for the USA for a year, returning to Munich, Germany, afterwards for finishing school.
Schmidt has performed as an opening act for Melanie C, best known as a member of the Spice Girls.
Guy Chambers calls his and Schmidt's genre pop noir.
She feels inspired by Marlene Dietrich, Kurt Weill, Billie Holiday and Norah Jones.